Forming A Football Team Using New York Yankees’ Players

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 28: A general view prior to the Northwestern Wildcats taking on the Pittsburgh Panthers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 28, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees outscored many NFL teams on football’s opening day forming the blowout thought: could the Bombers build a football team?

This week marked the first week of the 2017-18 National Football League season and the New York Yankees celebrated in style by running the scoreboard with 16 runs against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

For those counting at home, that offensive output outscored seven NFL teams that played on Sunday and what the Giants and Jets were able to score combined.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 16: Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees fields a hit by Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets in the first inning during interleague play on August 16, 2017 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Aaron Hicks

This is undebatable.

Aaron Hicks threw Vernon Wells out at third from the center-field warning track in 2013, has produced the fastest throw ever recorded by Statcast and just a couple weeks ago, nabbed Eduardo Nunez at third base this season from the warning track. His arm strength and accuracy is for real.

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 26: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees rounds third and heads for home in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds on July 26, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

If you dig deep enough (don’t worry, we have), you can find a video of Clint Frazier showing off his stud-like skills on the football field in High School.

Rumor has it that the 23-year-old once lead his county in all purpose yards (8,788), with multiple 300-plus yard rushing games. An impeccable combination of speed and strength makes him the ideal candidate to be the Yankees’ lead running back.

His backup will be Tyler Wade, who has killer explosive speed. 119 stolen bases in 524 career minor and major league games is enough to earn him the second slot on the depth chart — although he’s not as powerful as Frazier.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after he hit a home run in his first MLB at bat during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on August 13, 2016, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Tight End: Aaron Judge

As mentioned before, this 6-foot-8, 282-pound behemoth is the only player on the Yankees’ roster that can compete on a football field. And he has.

According to NBCSN’s Russ Tucker, Judge had 54 receptions for 969 yards and 17 touchdowns — he also set a school record for touchdown receptions as a senior — as a high school wide receiver. He was even recruited by Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA among other schools as a tight end.

Judge has dropped your jaw in awe with his monster home runs, now just imagine him tearing through the heart of a defense Gronk style.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 06: Shortstop Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees attempts to make a sliding over the shoulder catch on a single hit by Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox in the ninth inning during a game at Yankee Stadium on May 6, 2016, in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 3-2. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Yankees’ shortstop Didi Gregorius absorbs anything that comes near him. Whether it’s a ground ball up the middle, in the 5-6 hole or a blooper in shallow left field, he’ll presumably snag it.

His double-play partner, Starlin Castro, wouldn’t be as reliable, but he will make the routine play. Having Jacoby Ellsbury’s speed in the slot surely helps form a dangerous trio of wideouts.

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 03: Matt Holliday #17 of the New York Yankees looks to the sky as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a game at Yankee Stadium on May 3, 2017, in New York City. The homer was Holliday’s 300th of his career. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 8-6. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Backup QB: Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday’s arm isn’t quite at the level of Aaron Hicks’ right now, but back in High School, the 37-year-old was a flat-out stud.

Holliday totaled 6,211 of passing yards and 68 touchdowns during his High School career at Stillwater High. His 35 touchdown passes as a junior were an 11-man state record, according to NewsOK.com.

At the very least, he’ll give Hicks a run for his money in preseason and fall to No. 2 on the depth chart. He and his massive forearms, however, could suit well on the defensive line or at linebacker.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 31: Pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees reacts to striking out Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox with the bases loaded to end the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium on August 31, 2017, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

I was going to put Gary Sanchez on the offensive line, but his league-leading 14 passed balls don’t help his case. But his overall strength and feisty-ness demonstrated in the fight with the Detroit Tigers makes him a quality defensive tackle.

With CC Sabathia, however, there is no question. His build and competitiveness fit the bill as someone you don’t want blitzing you.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Left fielder Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees makes a sliding catch on a ball hit by Xander Bogaerts #2 then throws to second base to get Hanley Ramirez #13 for an inning ending double play in the third inning of a game at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Safety: Brett Gardner

One word: ballhawk.

Brett Gardner’s speed, judgment, strength and hands would make for a quality safety in the secondary. His career range-factor per nine innings stands at a superb 2.17 while he is fresh off a Gold Glove campaign.

His veteran knowledge will constantly keep him in a good position to be deep in pass coverage and when the ball is thrown, he has the speed break on the ball to try to make a play and take it to the house.

What do you think Yankees’ fans? Where would you put your favorite Yankee players on the football field? What would your offensive line look like? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below!

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Christian Kouroupakis covers the New York Yankeesand is the Editorial Director for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook pageand follow him on Twitter. All statistics are courtesy of Baseball Reference.com unless otherwise noted. Don’t hesitate to shoot him an emailwith any questions, criticisms, or concerns.